Allen and Heath ZEDR16 Mixer

Allen and Heath are delighted to present their first true recording mixer for over 10 years. The ZED-R16 is an exceptional recording mixer with 18 FireWire I/O which can also be used as a versatile live front of house mixer.

The best-performing preamp in Allen & Heath's entire range is packaged with a high quality analogue to FireWire interface and the most extensive EQ on any mixer at this price point (or even twice the price) An analogue channel strip so well-featured, which sounds this good, is a real find at this level.

The Allen & Heath ZED-R16 combines an analogue recording mixer with a FireWire soundcard, MIDI controls and ingenious 'home-studio' routing so you can build tracks in the studio, record live gigs, mix-down, remix...all through warm analogue circuitry, 4 band fully parametric classic British EQ and out to crisp, precise digital format.

In the studio

ZEDR16 combines an imaginative feature set with professional build quality to create the ideal centerpiece for any project studio with big ideas, or larger studios with dedicated live rooms.. Control room speaker and alternate speaker outputs, plus two separate artist monitor feeds are provided. In addition to the digital interface, two analogue recording outputs are also available. The ZED-R16 even has a dedicated internal condenser talkback mic. Features such as the dual function audio/MIDI faders and built in sequencer transport were dreamed up by engineers here at A&H who have home studios themselves, so they've made sure they've built in features they really need.

Soundcard

The internal soundcard features 18 FireWire inputs and 18 outputs plus 16 ADAT I/O. Each channel on the mixer has its own independent soundcard channel so instruments can be recorded simultaneously (pre or post EQ) and into the sequencer separately. To minimize clock jitter and provide synchronicity between the ZED-R16 and other devices, the mixer is equipped with the professional JetPLL digital audio chipset.

Mix-down and live

In addition to multi-track recording, the ZED-R16 allows mixing down in analogue, then recording back into the computer in digital. The bundled Sonar LE software makes this a breeze. The story doesn't stop here, however -- ZED-R16 can be a versatile live FOH mixer too. In this mode, its 4 aux buses become foldback feeds and FX sends, and the main XLR outputs feed the PA system. Recording the live gig is straightforward; the record feed signal can be easily assigned using the four buttons next to the faders.

Preamp

The ZED-R16's pre-amp, which has been specially designed for this application, has a symmetrical linear circuit. The best epitaxial low noise transistors are used in the front end, and active feedback is employed in both phases before the differential amplifier. This results in super-low distortion, while maintaining low noise (-128.5dBu EIN), high CMRR, and a transparent and beautiful sounding pre-amp.

EQ section

Complete with two swept, fully parametric mids, and high and low shelving EQ, the ZED-R16 has a sophisticated equalisation section without rival in this section of the market. It has much in common with its class-leading pro touring mixers. Forty years of analogue mixer design has given an unparalleled knowledge of filtering.

Auxiliary sends

Two pre and two post aux buses can be used as feeds for headphone amplifiers in the studio, FX sends anywhere, or wedge foldback live. The talkback function is either routed to the aux or studio outputs, so is ideal for any environment.

FireWire flexibility

The digital audio connections are all present on the rear of the desk. Two FireWire connectors allow the ZED-R16 to be connected to a personal computer whilst the second socket daisy chains devices. Two switches change the sample rate and routing selection, while 4 connectors allow input and output to ADAT equipment.

ADAT

In addition to the FireWire input and output, the ZED-R16 has 4 ADAT optical sockets. The I/O routing on the ZED-R16 is identical for the FireWire channels and the ADAT optical connection. With a combination of panel switches, the mixer is capable of an incredible 26 simultaneous inputs and outputs. Feed the ZED-R16 from ADAT lightpipe equipment, or record directly out from 16 channels to 2 ADAT machines, or to another soundcard.

MIDI software control

The MIDI section on the ZED-R16 has been designed to control software transport, with extra mappable controllers ready to be user-assigned. With recording now truly in the digital age, ZED-R16 brings the home studio bang up to date.

In addition to the ZED-R16's dedicated MIDI controls, all of the channel faders can be switched to become MIDI controllers.

Monitor section

The ZED-R16 has two signal paths for monitoring: an output for main control room monitors and outputs for an alternative set of monitors for checking mixes. The control room mix can follow either of the two main analogue outputs or the digital main mix, allowing access to all main audio outputs.

Build

The ZED-R16 has been designed using individual vertically mounted circuit boards with each rotary control fixed with a metal nut to the front panel - making a much more robust product that will resist damage and give years of reliable use. ZED-R16 also has professional 60mm faders for ultimate control over your levels.

SONAR LE

Similar to the matrix function on A&H ML, GL and Wizard mixers, two separate live room mix feeds can be individually fed from aux buses or the LR main mix. Foldback to the musicians can be tailored to give the bassist a drum heavy mix and the vocalist (in a separate booth) more keys...

Overall:
The ZED R16 is impressive for the price. It functions as a fully analog board but can be used as a control surface for most DAWs (It requires a 3rd party MIDI translator with Pro Tools versions 9 and 10). The variety of operational modes allow multiple ways to mixdown, whether it's live or you simply want to mix tracks you've already recorded in your DAW. Pre-recorded tracks can be routed to the ZED's channel strips to take advantage of its sleek EQ. You can choose to mixdown pre or post EQ if you would rather use your DAW. You can insert signal processors on the ZED's channels and record their output or, route your signal to your DAW to take advantage of your favorite plugins while returning the signal to the ZED channels for analog EQ/mixing. One of my only disappointments is the lack of a Solo button on each channel. However, with the MIDI mapping capability, you can use the "MIDI Control" pots to achieve this or simply use your DAW. Larger faders would also be a plus, but these will do. Overall, an extremely versatile piece of gear.

Thank you. Your vote has been counted. Could you briefly tell us why the review was or was not helpful?

"This thing is great!"

Sound:
Okay, I want to set a few things straight from reviews I have read elsewhere. (most of the things I have read that people said this board cannot do, it can)
1) The board can be used as a sound card for your computer so you can play Itunes or cdroms or games through it. It very clearly lays this out in the instruction manual.
2) You can have the digital send post EQ. Again very simple and laid out in instructions.
3) Drivers are not hard to DL or install. I was up and running in just a few minutes.
The digital converters are great. I upgraded from a Presonus Firestudio Project. And it is night and day.
The EQ is awesome. I used to have to dup kick and snar a few times to get them to cut through mixes, now they cut just fine.
As well vocals sound a ton better through this thing.
Preamps again are worlds better than the presonus.
Price is great, I paid 1760 using a coupon, which was better than the 1999 it was selling for at the time.
Cons, MIDI mapping is a SOB. Partly because the Midi map in the instructions is laid out for the program that it comes with and Cubase uses a different format. But with that said, I only have Cubase LE and there is a xlm file that you can upload to map it for the real version of Cubase.
Manufacturer Support:
Allen and Heath has a ticket system for tech support, no live person to call...

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